A West Island man is speaking out about the impact of recent home care cuts on his mental and physical well-being.
John Smith, 58, has been receiving home care services for the past two years after being diagnosed with a chronic illness. However, due to recent budget cuts, his care has been reduced from five days a week to just two.
Smith says the decrease in care has caused him to experience burnout, as he is now responsible for managing his own care for the majority of the week.
“I used to have a routine and structure to my days with the help of my home care workers,” Smith said. “Now, I feel overwhelmed and exhausted trying to do everything on my own.”
According to Smith, the cuts have also affected the quality of care he receives. He claims that his home care workers are now rushed and unable to provide the same level of attention and support as before.
“I understand that budget cuts need to be made, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of people’s health and well-being,” Smith stated.
The West Island Health and Social Services Centre, which oversees home care services in the area, released a statement acknowledging the impact of the cuts on patients like Smith.
“We recognize that these cuts have put a strain on our clients and their families,” the statement read. “We are working to find solutions and minimize the impact on those who rely on our services.”
The centre also stated that they are actively seeking alternative funding sources to help alleviate the effects of the budget cuts.
In the meantime, Smith is calling for more transparency and communication from the centre regarding the cuts and their plans for the future.
“I just want to know that my needs and the needs of others in similar situations are being considered and addressed,” Smith said.
The West Island man’s story sheds light on the real-life consequences of budget cuts on vulnerable individuals in our society. It serves as a reminder that behind every statistic and budget number, there are real people who are directly impacted.
